DiamondBuzz

Russia Tightens Rules On Synthetic Diamond Labelling

Industry’s Most Stringent Measures Aimed At Clearly Distinguishing Lab-Grown Stones From Natural Diamonds

Published

5 months ago

June 9, 2026

Russia has introduced new regulations governing the sale and marketing of jewellery containing synthetic diamonds, marking one of the industry’s most stringent measures aimed at clearly distinguishing lab-grown stones from natural diamonds. The rules are set to take effect on 1 September 2026.

The new provisions were adopted under Resolution No. 657 of 30 May 2026 by the Government of the Russian Federation and amend the country’s retail sales regulations for precious metals and gemstones.

Under the revised rules, jewellery containing synthetic stones may continue to reference the corresponding natural mineral, but labels and tags must prominently include the word “synthetic” or its approved abbreviation. However, the use of the word “diamond” and its derivatives in relation to synthetic materials will be prohibited. The regulations also ban the use of colour and quality descriptors typically associated with natural diamonds.

The resolution further prohibits retailers and marketers from using terms such as “precious”, “real”, “genuine”, “natural”, “mined”, “mineral” and “eco-friendly” when describing synthetic stones. In addition, the weight of synthetic stones may only be disclosed in grams rather than carats. The restrictions apply to all forms of consumer-facing information, including product labels and marketing materials.

The measures are intended to protect consumers from misleading sales practices and ensure greater transparency in the marketplace. Russia, the world’s largest producer of natural diamonds by volume, said the rules are designed to safeguard consumers and support fair competition between natural and synthetic diamond products.

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DiamondBuzz

South African Task Team To Help Struggling Diamond Producers

The South African Government Has Partnered With Mining Industry Leaders To Form A Joint Task Team Aimed At Saving Jobs and Supporting Diamond Producers Facing Severe Market Pressures.

Published

16 hours ago

October 30, 2026

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The quick intervention follows major disruptions in the local sector, including Petra Diamonds placing its Finsch mine under business rescue and De Beers announcing a two-year production pause at Venetia, the country’s largest diamond mine.

In a parliamentary reply on October 26, Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe confirmed that the team—which includes the Minerals Council South Africa and local diamond producers—will develop strategies to help mines survive current economic headwinds.

The immediate focus is finding practical solutions to protect operations across the entire sector, especially junior and small-scale miners who are being hit the hardest,

Key Industry Challenges

The local diamond sector faces a combination of falling global prices, rising operating costs, and intense competition from lab-grown synthetic diamonds. Official figures highlight the severity of the crisis:

Production Downturn: South African diamond output dropped 19.5% year-to-date through August.

Commodity Slump: According to Statistics South Africa, diamond mining was the weakest-performing mining sub-sector in August, with output falling 23.0% in the three months ending August compared to the previous three months.

Significant Mine Reductions: De Beers reported a 37% year-on-year drop in South African production for Q3 2026 (down to 418,000 carats) as operations wrap up ahead of Venetia’s pause. De Beers expects zero further production in South Africa for the remainder of 2026.

Price Pressures: Lower market values and a strong South African rand reduced average tender prices at the Finsch mine from $56 to $47 per carat, making ongoing operations unviable under current conditions.

The task team will focus on measures to ease cost pressures and address global market shifts. Further details regarding the team’s specific work plan, timelines, and financial resources will be announced as proposals are finalized.